17 August 2011

GM announced that the Cadillac Converj extended range electric vehicle concept (earlier post) is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR. (Earlier post.) Development of the ELR is just underway; details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature a Chevy Volt-like electric propulsion system comprising a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car tomorrow (18 August) at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan code-named ATS.